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Change from within. How communities can be involved in preventing children from dropping out of school

Author:

Myrna Derksen

About Myrna

Myrna Derksen studied social work at HU University of Applied Sciences, graduating in June 2013. Her article Change from within. How communities can be involved in preventing children from dropping out of school was one of the winning articles of the 2013 Utrecht University of Applied Sciences thesis award. Currently, Myrna is following the pre-Master’s programme in Social and Cultural Anthropology at VU University Amsterdam and works part-time at a home for homeless young people, Stichting Pension Singelzicht, Utrecht, the Netherlands.

Abstract

Change from within. How communities can be involved in preventing children from dropping out of school

In this article, based on a social work graduation project carried out at a primary school in Douglas, Northern Cape, South Africa, the issue of young children dropping out of primary education is outlined, as well as its causes. Solutions that address the direct causes seem hard to find. Such solutions should address deep-rooted assumptions and a lack of awareness of the importance of education on the part of many individuals, it is suggested. The author proposes that social workers seek to involve the community in solving their own problems, such as drop-outs. A bottom-up approach should be used to change incorrect assumptions about education and the importance of education should be emphasized. An example is given of how empowering and educating the right people to take responsibly for their community can benefit that community and also help relieve social workers of their massive workloads, which is a significant problem in South Africa.

How to Cite:
Derksen, M., 2013. Change from within. How communities can be involved in preventing children from dropping out of school. Journal of Social Intervention: Theory and Practice, 22(4), pp.97–107. DOI: http://doi.org/10.18352/jsi.382

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Derksen, M., 2013. Change from within. How communities can be involved in preventing children from dropping out of school. Journal of Social Intervention: Theory and Practice, 22(4), pp.97–107. DOI: http://doi.org/10.18352/jsi.382

Derksen M. Change from within. How communities can be involved in preventing children from dropping out of school. Journal of Social Intervention: Theory and Practice. 2013;22(4):97–107. DOI: http://doi.org/10.18352/jsi.382

Derksen, M. (2013). Change from within. How communities can be involved in preventing children from dropping out of school. Journal of Social Intervention: Theory and Practice, 22(4), 97–107. DOI: http://doi.org/10.18352/jsi.382

Derksen M, ‘Change from Within. How Communities Can Be Involved in Preventing Children from Dropping Out of School’ (2013) 22 Journal of Social Intervention: Theory and Practice 97 DOI: http://doi.org/10.18352/jsi.382

Derksen, Myrna. 2013. “Change from Within. How Communities Can Be Involved in Preventing Children from Dropping Out of School”. Journal of Social Intervention: Theory and Practice 22 (4): 97–107. DOI: http://doi.org/10.18352/jsi.382

Derksen, Myrna. “Change from Within. How Communities Can Be Involved in Preventing Children from Dropping Out of School”. Journal of Social Intervention: Theory and Practice 22, no. 4 (2013): 97–107. DOI: http://doi.org/10.18352/jsi.382

Derksen, M.. “Change from Within. How Communities Can Be Involved in Preventing Children from Dropping Out of School”. Journal of Social Intervention: Theory and Practice, vol. 22, no. 4, 2013, pp. 97–107. DOI: http://doi.org/10.18352/jsi.382